New CEO calls for industry to embrace BII transformation

Tim Hulme, the BII's new CEO.

17/05/2013 10:10:37

Tim Hulme, who took over as CEO of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) in January, has called upon the industry to embrace the professional body’s new direction and highlighted the ‘great strides’ he and his team are making in changing and developing the culture of the organisation.

Speaking at the BII annual lunch at Grosvenor House in London this week, Hulme said he had spent his first four months in the role reviewing every facet of the institute, as well as building relationships with strategic partners and seeking the views of the industry on what the future of the BII should be.

He promised a radical step-change in leadership, governance and performance.

Hulme said: “I personally ask the leaders among you to embrace what the BII is shaping as a professional body. In return I give you my personal commitment that I will lead the BII in playing its part in promoting this industry and what it stands for.”

Hulme pledged to lead with transparency, openness, sincerity and integrity as he strives to ‘transform the BII’, creating an inclusive and developmental organisation that focuses on raising standards across the industry, with his stewardship focusing heavily on the next generation of learners, licensees and managers.

He said business decisions would be driven by members’ needs, and that they could expect an appropriate return on investment for their membership contributions. He referred to the 70,000 qualifications the organisation already awards each year, and the 3,000 calls they received in 2012 by their various help lines which offer licensees quality information, advice and guidance.

Concluding his speech, Hulme said: “In looking forward, I’ve promised to turn and face our members. The continuous professional development services and benefits we offer will be delivered with a competitive edge. In equal measure though, I will be ensuring that our membership agenda has a very strong next generation theme and through our partnerships with colleges and universities, we will promote courses and membership specific to this industry.

“Importantly the BII’s new strategic objectives will embrace inclusion. Our focus should be about removing barriers for the most vulnerable including the NEETS, those with learning difficulties and disabilities and ex-military. We should not underestimate the impact opportunities like this can have on an individual’s self-worth and our efforts could be the catalyst for positive support for the Government on other issues we campaign on.”